Best known for his
sadistic portrayal of Kakihara in Ichi
the Killer, Tadanobu Asano, born Tadanobu
Sato, started his acting career at the young
age of 16 on a TV series with advice from
his father, an agent for actors. Two years
later, Asano would make the jump to film and
start a very lucartive career. Unlike many
Japanese actors, Asano adapted more readily
to the film medium and left behind television
acting, commiting most of his work to theatrical
movies. In addition to acting, Asano also
directed commercials for his then wife Chara,
and is also a musician for a band he helped
form called " MACH-1.67" with futue Gojoe (2000) director Sogo Ishii in 1996.

Although Asano continues to act in Japan, appearing in films such as Lupin the 3rd (2014), he has become a popualr actor abroad as well. This includes roles in Marvel's Thor and Universal's 47 Ronin.